During a right lateral strain of the SBS, what is the direction of rotation of the greater wings of the sphenoid around a vertical axis?

During a right lateral strain of the SBS, what is the direction of rotation of the greater wings of the sphenoid around a vertical axis?

• A. Counterclockwise
• B. Clockwise
• C. No rotation
• D. Rotation around a horizontal axis

Answer: (A)

In lateral strains, the sphenoid shifts around a vertical axis through the spheno-basiilar synchondrosis, so the greater wings rotate in opposite directions on that axis. For a right lateral strain, viewed from above, the greater wings rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This reflects how the wings move relative to each other as the SBS widens on one side and narrows on the other. The other options don’t fit because a clockwise rotation would correspond to the opposite lateral strain, no rotation would mean no strain, and rotation around a horizontal axis describes vertical strains rather than lateral ones.

In lateral strains, the sphenoid shifts around a vertical axis through the spheno-basiilar synchondrosis, so the greater wings rotate in opposite directions on that axis. For a right lateral strain, viewed from above, the greater wings rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This reflects how the wings move relative to each other as the SBS widens on one side and narrows on the other. The other options don’t fit because a clockwise rotation would correspond to the opposite lateral strain, no rotation would mean no strain, and rotation around a horizontal axis describes vertical strains rather than lateral ones.